PERPENDICULAR RECORDING MAGNETIC MEDIA HAVING A GRANULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING LAYER AND AN AMORPHOUS SOFT UNDERLAYER - A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate, an amorphous soft underlayer of thickness 30 nm or greater, and a granular magnetic recording layer for perpendicular recording is disclosed. The granular magnetic recording layer includes a non-magnetic region between magnetic grains, wherein the non-magnetic region includes metal nitride or metal carbide and provides exchange decoupling between the magnetic grains. The perpendicular recording medium of this invention reduces DC noise and increases media signal-to-noise ratio; it reduces surface roughness, which in turn reduces the head-to-media spacing and the head-to-amorphous soft underlayer spacing.

2009-08-27

20090214897

MAGNETIC STORAGE APPARATUS - A magnetic storage apparatus is provided with a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a soft magnetic underlayer and a recording layer, and a magnetic head having a medium opposing surface. The soft magnetic underlayer has axes of easy magnetization oriented along a circumferential direction. A return yoke part of a recording element in the head includes return side yokes arranged in a radial direction of a main magnetic pole part on the medium opposing surface, whereby a magnetic flux of a recording magnetic field flows in the radial direction within the soft magnetic underlayer.

2009-08-27

20090214898

MAGNETIC RECORDING MEDIUM AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - Embodiments of the present invention help to produce discrete track media and bit patterned media having both excellent recording and reproducing performance and reliability. According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method forms a nonmagnetic layer mainly composed of the same element as a nonmagnetic element contained in magnetic recording layers and on the magnetic recording layers and a mask layer having apertures for forming more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the magnetic recording layers on the nonmagnetic layer. The method implants ions of the nonmagnetic element through the nonmagnetic layer masked by the mask layer to form the more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the magnetic recording layer.

2009-08-27

20090214899

BATTERY LAYOUT INCORPORATING FULL METAL EDGE SEAL - A first current collector on the first surface of the substrate and a second current collector having a first surface and a perimeter. One of the first and second current collector is an anode current collector and the other is a cathode current collector. The battery also comprises a cathode material having a perimeter, the cathode material being located on the cathode current collector; an electrolyte layer having a perimeter, the electrolyte separating the cathode material from the anode current collector; an insulation layer having a perimeter, the insulation layer together with the electrolyte layer separating the anode current collector from the cathode material and the cathode current collector. A first passivation layer generally overlies at least the perimeter of the cathode material, the perimeter of the electrolyte, and the perimeter of the insulation layer, the first passivation layer being electrically coupled to the first current collector and forming a continuous metal to metal seal around a defined area of the first current collector. The first passivation layer has a via opening. A second passivation layer is electrically coupled to the second current collector through the via opening of the first passivation layer.

2009-08-27

20090214900

Fuel Cell System for Supplying Aircraft - A fuel cell system for aircraft with a passenger cabin comprises a fuel cell. The fuel cell comprises a first inlet connection, a first outlet connection, a cathode side and an anode side, wherein the first inlet connection is formed as the inlet connection of the cathode side and wherein the first outlet connection is formed as the outlet connection of the cathode side. In addition, the fuel cell system is designed in such a way that at the first inlet connection, a gas with a pressure is applied, which corresponds to an air pressure in the passenger machine.

Adsorptive Bulk Separation for Upgrading Gas Streams - Disclosed embodiments concern adsorptive gas bulk separation systems and methods that may be advantageously less expensive to utilize than some in the prior art. Embodiments of the present invention concern processing a feed gas source, typically comprising at least one fuel gas component and at least one diluent, using a displacement purge adsorptive separator apparatus comprising at least one adsorbent bed, at least one purge gas source for purge regeneration of the at least one adsorbent bed, and a product conduit for supplying upgraded gas product. The feed gas typically is supplied to the displacement purge adsorptive separator apparatus at substantially the ambient pressure of the feed gas source. The displacement purge adsorptive separator apparatus is operable to adsorb at least a portion of the at least one diluent component from the feed gas stream to produce an upgraded gas.

2009-08-27

20090214903

FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell which has an anode. A fuel supplying device circulates a supply of aqueous methanol solution to the anode in the fuel cell. The fuel supplying device includes an aqueous solution tank for storing the aqueous methanol solution. By moving aqueous methanol solution from the aqueous solution tank to a water tank, the amount of aqueous methanol solution which is in circulation at the time of start-up is made smaller than the amount for normal operation. The fuel cell system and a control method therefore are capable of shortening a time that is necessary for heating aqueous fuel solution to be supplied to the fuel cell to a predetermined temperature without reducing fuel utilization efficiency.

2009-08-27

20090214904

Integrated Fuel and Fuel Cell Device - Described here is a device for generating electrical current via an electrochemical fuel cell that consumes hydrogen. The described device may be entirely or partially self-contained or may be made up of cooperating components. The device comprises at least and fuel and fuel cell components and those components may be integrated. The fuel is selected to produce hydrogen suitable for use in a variety of fuel cell designs that utilize hydrogen to produce electrical current. The fuel cell, in some variations, produces water and that water may be returned to the selected fuel source to create a self-sustaining supply of hydrogen for the fuel cell under load. The fuel cell may also contain a system for controlling the amount of water produced by the fuel cell that gets delivered to the solid fuel.

2009-08-27

20090214905

Direct methanol fuel cell operable with neat methanol - A fuel cell system running on direct neat methanol. Back diffusion of water from the cathode to the anode is sufficiently high so that water is not accumulated at the cathode, thereby leading to fuel cell systems without the need for a pump system to remove circulate water from the cathode to the anode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL - A stack of disc-type fuel cells and disc-type separators stacked alternately is housed in a casing. A fuel supply part extends through the central part of the upper wall of the casing to supply fuel to the central part of the stack. An air supply part extends through the central part of the lower wall of the casing to supply air to the central part of the stack. A fuel discharge part extends through the central part of the lower wall of the casing to discharge fuel after power generation. An exhaust discharge part extends through the peripheral part of the lower wall of the casing to discharge an exhaust gas resulting from the combustion of mixture of the fuel after power generation and air, and a recirculation part for mixing the fuel after power generation discharged from the fuel discharge part with newly-supplied fuel.

Fuel cell system - Moisture caused by humidity in the fuel gas and water vapor from the water that is generated become condensed inside of the fuel cell when power generation in the fuel cell is temporarily stopped, making it necessary to prevent obstruction to the fuel gas flow channel when power generation is restarted. A fuel cell is configured so that it overlaps with a single cell comprised of an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode. Oxidant supply means

DIRECT ALCOHOL FUEL CELL - A direct alcohol fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly, on which electrodes are formed on both faces of an electrolyte membrane; a fuel chamber and an air chamber formed on the electrodes; a fuel tank; a supply conduit communicating the fuel tank and the fuel chamber; and a vapor chamber provided on the supply conduit, wherein the vapor chamber is provided with an oxidation catalyst and an admission port for aspirating emission from the fuel chamber containing the unburned alcohol fuel to the oxidation catalyst. A direct alcohol fuel cell further comprising a noncondensable gas mixing section comprising a noncondensable gas tank; a noncondensable gas supply conduit communicating a supply conduit and the noncondensable gas tank; and a catalyst provided on the noncondensable gas supply conduit

2009-08-27

20090214912

ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A first battery includes a secondary battery which is rechargeable by a fuel cell. A second battery does not perform all the operations of an electronic apparatus but supply an electric power to enable operations of a battery residual quantity detection unit, which detects battery residual quantities of the fuel cell and the batteries, and a second display which display based on the detection result. On the basis of the detection result, the presence/absence of execution of a charging operation from the fuel cell to the first battery is determined, and a designation to supply fuel to the fuel cell and/or an operation state of the electronic apparatus is displayed on a first display. When the battery residual quantity of the fuel cell and/or the first battery is zero, an electric power is supplied from the second battery to the battery residual quantity detection unit and the second display.

Fuel cell system using evaporative cooling and method of cooling fuel cell system - The present invention provides a fuel cell system using evaporative cooling that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen as a fuel and air as an oxidant. The system includes a fuel cell stack including a cooling channel provided on a bipolar plate separately from an air channel and a hydrogen channel, an air inlet line connected to an inlet side of the cooling channel of the fuel cell stack, a water injection means provided at the inlet side of the cooling channel to inject water into air introduced to the cooling channel through the air inlet line, and an air compression means provided at the rear of the fuel cell stack and connected to a discharge line coupled to an outlet side of the cooling channel to provide a suction force to the cooling channel and to compress a mixture of air and water vapor sucked from the cooling channel. The present system provides advantages in that the configuration of the fuel cell system is simplified, lightweight, and downsized, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

2009-08-27

20090214916

ELECTRONIC APPARATUS SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus system comprises an electronic apparatus including a heating member, and a fuel cell apparatus including a electromotive section configured to generate electricity by a chemical reaction, a fuel tank, a circulation system including a fuel channel and an air channel, and a gas-liquid separator. The gas-liquid separator is arranged between a flow-out end of the electromotive section and the fuel tank in the fuel channel, configured to separate a gas-liquid two-phase fluid discharged from the anode to a liquid and gas, and is thermally coupled to the heating member to be heated by the heat of the heating member.

2009-08-27

20090214917

FUEL CELL, FUEL CELL STACK, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) having an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes arranged on both sides of the electrolyte membrane in the thickness direction, a pair of frames having a frame shape and holding an outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane, a pair of gas diffusion layers arranged inside the pair of frames and on both sides of the MEA in the thickness direction, and a gasket covering at least a part of the pair of frames. The fuel cell further includes a first cross-linking adhesive member formed of rubber which includes a membrane accommodating portion having an indented shape for accommodating the outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane and a first intermediate portion interposed between the pair of frames and which is subjected to cross-linking adhesion with the outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane and the pair of frames.

Proton-conducting membrane and use thereof - The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, owing to its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used for a variety of purposes and is particularly suitable as a polymer-electrolyte membrane (PEM) for the production of membrane electrode units for so-called PEM fuel cells.

2009-08-27

20090214921

Proton-conducting membrane and use thereof - The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, owing to its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used for a variety of purposes and is particularly suitable as a polymer-electrolyte membrane (PEM) for the production of membrane electrode units for so-called PEM fuel cells.

2009-08-27

20090214922

FUEL CELL - A solid state fuel cell comprising a non-polymeric electrolyte, the fuel cell comprising a member having a porous region, the member comprising metallic titanium or an alloy thereof. Preferably, the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell or a protonic ceramic fuel cell. The porous region may be bounded by a non-porous region. The titanium-containing member may be coated with layers of ceramic materials.

2009-08-27

20090214923

CERAMIC PRODUCT AND CERAMIC MEMBER BONDING METHOD - The ceramic product provided by the present invention is provided with at least two ceramic members bonded to each other, and the bond parts between these ceramic members bonded to each other are formed from glass having leucite crystals precipitated within the glass matrix.

Fuel Cell System with a Venturi Supply of Gas - A fuel cell system is described wherein at least one fuel cell is supplied at least intermittently with a gas mixture, particularly one made up of a compressed oxidation gas and ambient air, which is mixed in a Venturi nozzle, whereby the compressed gas can entrain ambient air at the Venturi nozzle and can guide it or guides it to the at least one fuel cell.

2009-08-27

20090214926

Metal Separator For Fuel Cell and Manufacturing Method Thereof - A metallic separator for fuel cells having a metal plate, an electroconductive coating layer covering at least a surface in front and back surfaces of the metal plate which contacts a raw material and/or a reaction product, and an electroconductive channel-forming member disposed on a surface of the coating layer and forming a channel for the raw material and/or the reaction product and/or a channel for a cooling medium for cooling. A surface layer on the metal plate has a tensile residual stress within such a range that no stress-corrosion cracking occurs.

2009-08-27

20090214927

LOW COST FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME - Fuel cell bipolar plates are made by depositing a pinhole free corrosion resistant and/or a conductive layer on a metal plate using an atomic layer deposition method. In one embodiment, a conductive layer is deposited on an anodized metal plate using atomic layer deposition method. In another embodiment, at least one corrosion resistant metal oxide layer and at least one conductive layer are deposited on a metal plate individually using atomic layer deposition method. In yet another embodiment, a corrosion resistant and conductive metal oxynitride layer is deposited on a metal plate using an atomic layer deposition method.

2009-08-27

20090214928

Fuel cell stack of fuel cell vehicle - The present invention provides a method of assembling a fuel cell stack, in which a fixing block and a fixing pin are used to assemble the fuel cell stack instead of a bolt, thereby reducing the time and process required for assembly of the fuel cell stack, enabling an assembly process using an automated device to be realized, and facilitating mass production.

LIQUID COMPOSITION - To provide a liquid composition containing a fluoropolymer having sulfonic acid functional groups, which rarely corrodes a metal and has good handling efficiency.

2009-08-27

20090214933

REINTRODUCTION OF LITHIUM INTO RECYCLED BATTERY MATERIALS - Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.

2009-08-27

20090214934

Venting Water-Tight Battery-Operated Devices - Water-tight battery powered appliances, for example personal care appliances such as razors and toothbrushes, are provided. The appliances include a housing having a seal that allows gases, e.g., hydrogen, to vent from the appliance without allowing water to enter.

2009-08-27

20090214935

BATTERY WITH OVER-PRESSURE PROTECTION - A battery assembly includes a sealed battery cell container holds a positive and negative electrode and an electrolyte. Deflection-responsive means engages at least one outer face of the container and is responsive to deflection thereof for operating a cut-off switch to break the electrical continuity of the battery assembly. Flat battery cell containers may be stacked in different arrangements within a coupling structure, the arrangements defining either a cavity between the coupling structure and an adjacent container face, or a cavity between faces of adjacent cell containers. A membrane switch received in the cavity is actuated by bulging of a cell container wall. A control circuit operates the cut-off switch in response to actuation of the membrane switch.

2009-08-27

20090214936

Voltage Sensing Member and Battery Module Employed with the Same - Disclosed herein is a voltage sensing member constructed in a structure in which linear mounting parts are mounted to supporting parts coupled to the bottom of a battery module, conductive sensing parts are mounted on the mounting parts while the conductive sensing parts are in elastic contact with electrode terminals of battery cells, and the sensing parts are electrically connected to a battery management system (BMS). The voltage sensing member according to the present invention is manufactured by a simple assembly process without using a plurality of members for mechanical coupling and electrical connection. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of reducing the manufacturing costs of the voltage sensing member. Also, the voltage sensing member is maintained in elastic and stable contact when external impact or frequent vibration is applied to the voltage sensing member. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of performing stable voltage sensing operation. Furthermore, the present invention has the effect of manufacturing a middle- or large-sized battery pack having desired output and capacity using a battery module including the voltage sensing member as a unit body.

2009-08-27

20090214937

VEHICLE BATTERY ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - The invention relates to a vehicle battery arrangement comprising sensors and an electronic sensor system, by which means the charging and operating state of the vehicle battery is monitored. Said vehicle battery arrangement comprises a heat insulating box (

Ion-conductive material and use thereof - Disclosed is an ion-conductive material which comprises an ionic liquid and can realize a higher level of safety. Also disclosed is an electrochemical device using the ion-conductive material. Further disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrochemical device. An ion-conductive material comprising an ionic liquid satisfying the following conditions: the ionic liquid comprises two or more types of anion, such that at least one type thereof is an anion having a structure in which one or more electron-withdrawing groups are bonded to a central atom having one more non-covalent electron pairs; and the ionic liquid has a maximum exothermic heat-flow peak height no greater than 2 W/g as measured by DSC (measurement temperature range: ordinary temperature to 500° C., rate of temperature rise: 2° C./minute). Preferably, the ion-conductive material comprises an ionic liquid having a gross calorific value of no greater than 1000 J/g as measured by the DSC.

BATTERY ASSEMBLY - A battery module of the present invention is adaptable to be utilized in various configurations including and not limited to an overlapping battery cell packaging configuration and a vertical stack battery cell packaging configuration used in an automotive vehicle. The battery module has a plurality of battery heatsink assemblies with the cells disposed therebetween. A plurality of rods extend through the each heatsink assemblies to secure the heatsink assemblies and the cell with one another to form the battery module.

2009-08-27

20090214942

ORIENTED NANOTUBE ELECTRODES FOR LITHIUM ION BATTERIES AND SUPERCAPACITORS - An electrode having an oriented array of multiple nanotubes is disclosed. Individual nanotubes have a lengthwise inner pore defined by interior tube walls which extends at least partially through the length of the nanotube. The nanotubes of the array may be oriented according to any identifiable pattern. Also disclosed is a device featuring an electrode and methods of fabrication.

High Capacity Electrodes - A high capacity electrode includes a conducting substrate on which a plurality of support filaments are disposed. Each of the support filaments have a length substantially greater than their width and may include, for example, a carbon nano-tube (CNT), a carbon nano-fiber (CNF), and/or a nano-wire (NW). The support filaments are coated with a material, such as silicon, having a greater ion absorbing capacity greater than the neat support filaments. A trunk region of the support filaments proximate to the substrate is optionally kept free of ion absorbing material. This trunk region allows for the expansion of the ion absorbing material without detaching the support filaments form the substrate.

NEGATIVE ELECTRODE FOR LITHIUM ION BATTERY AND LITHIUM ION BATTERY USING THE SAME - A negative electrode for a battery comprises a current collector, an inner coating on the current collector, and an outer coating on the inner coating. The inner and outer coatings comprise a carbonaceous material, and a lithium titanium oxide compound. The weight percentage of the carbonaceous material is higher than that of the lithium titanium oxide compound in the inner coating. The weight percentage of the carbonaceous material is lower than that of the lithium titanium oxide compound in the outer coating. The total weight percentage of the carbonaceous material in the combined inner and outer coatings is higher than the total weight percentage of the lithium titanium oxide compound in the combined inner and outer coatings.

2009-08-27

20090214947

Battery case having a flange in the terminal hole - A battery case having a terminal hole in the peripheral wall, a circular flange protruded from the inside wall around the terminal hole, and a contact member mounted in the terminal hole for the contact of the positive terminal of a battery, the contact member having a cylindrical mounting portion riveted to the terminal hole, a contact portion supported on the circular flange for the contact of the positive terminal of the battery, and a connecting portion extended from the contact portion and closely attached to the sloping periphery of the circular flange and connected to the corresponding electric wire.

2009-08-27

20090214948

Secondary Battery Having a Sealing Gasket with Concave and Convex Portions - A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes and a container for receiving the electrode assembly inside thereof. The secondary battery also includes a cap assembly fixed to the container to seal the container and a gasket disposed between the container and the cap assembly. The gasket has at least one concavo-convex portion on a surface contacting the container and/or the cap assembly. This improved gasket structure enhances the air tightness of the secondary battery.

2009-08-27

20090214949

NON-AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE BATTERY AND NEGATIVE ELECTRODE - A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the negative electrode contains a negative electrode mixture containing a binder; and the binder contains polyvinylidene fluoride and polyacrylonitrile, with a mass ratio of polyvinylidene fluoride to polyacrylonitrile ranging from 99.9/0.1 to 95.1/4.9.

LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY - To provide a lithium secondary battery having an excellent input and output balance, a high capacity, and a long life. A lithium secondary battery comprising: a positive electrode containing a positive electrode active material which is applied to both sides of a positive electrode collector foil and contains a lithium transition metal complex oxide; a negative electrode containing a negative electrode active material which is applied to both sides of a negative electrode collector foil and occludes and releases lithium; and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing a lithium salt, wherein there is an SOC region where a specific input power is almost equal to a specific output power in a range of 20 to 40% of state of charge (SOC) of the lithium secondary battery.

2009-08-27

20090214952

ANODE AND SECONDARY BATTERY - A secondary battery capable of providing a high energy density and superior cycle characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The anode has an anode active material layer containing a carbon material and a lithium-containing compound (Li

NEGATIVE ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR NONAQUEOUS SECONDARY CELLS, NEGATIVE ELECTRODE FOR NONAQUEOUS SECONDARY CELLS, AND NONAQUEOUS SECONDARY CELL - A negative electrode material for a nonaqueous secondary battery capable of realizing a nonaqueous secondary battery having a small charging/discharging irreversible capacity at an initial cycle, exhibiting an excellent high-rate charging/discharging characteristics and an excellent cycle performances, and having no electrodeposition problem is provided. The main component of the material is graphite particles. The median diameter of the graphite particles is 5 μm or more, and 40 μm or less in the volume-basis particle size distribution based on the laser diffraction/scattering particle size distribution measurement. The tapping density of the negative electrode material is 0.7 g/cm

2009-08-27

20090214955

ELECTRIC STORAGE DEVICE, ELECTRODE, METHOD FOR FABRICATING ELECTRODE, AND MANAGEMENT METHOD - A mixture layer for an electrode is formed on a punched current collector. For example, the mixture layer is made of an active material, conductive assistant, binder, and the like. The mixture layer having the structure described above is formed into a slurry, for example, and applied onto the current collector. The applied mixture layer is dried to fabricate an electrode. The thus formed electrode is used to assemble an electric storage device. Upon the assembly, lithium ions are pre-doped into a negative electrode. The pre-doping time is determined according to air permeability of the electrodes.

2009-08-27

20090214956

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY - A lithium-ion battery having an anode including an array of nanowires electrochemically coated with a polymer electrolyte, and surrounded by a cathode matrix, forming thereby interpenetrating electrodes, wherein the diffusion length of the Li

2009-08-27

20090214957

ALL-SOLID-STATE CELL - A first paste for a first electrode layer and a second paste for a second electrode layer are printed on a fired solid electrolyte by screen printing, etc. to form electrode patterns for forming the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first and second pastes can be prepared by dissolving a binder in an organic solvent, adding an appropriate amount of the obtained solution to powders of an electrode active substance material and a solid electrolyte material, and kneading the resultant mixture. The first and second pastes are applied to the fired solid electrolyte to form a cell precursor, the cell precursor is placed in a hot press mold subjected to a thermal treatment while pressing from above by a punch, whereby the first and second electrode layer are formed from the first and second pastes.

PHOTORESIST COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS RELATED TO NEAR FIELD MASKS - A structure and a photolithography method. The method includes forming a first layer of a first photoresist including a first polymer and a first photosensitive acid generator. A second layer of a second photoresist, including a second polymer having at least one phenyl or phenolic moiety, is formed directly onto the first layer. The second layer is patternwise imaged, resulting in exposing at least one first portion. The first portion is removed, revealing at least one first region of the first layer. A second portion of the second layer remains forming a structure having opaque regions. The structure and first region are exposed. The opaque regions shield from radiation at least one second region of the first layer, resulting in producing acid in the first region and in the structure. The structure and base-soluble regions of the first layer are removed. A structure is also described.

2009-08-27

20090214960

RESIST COMPOSITION AND PATTERNING PROCESS - In a chemically amplified resist composition comprising a base resin, an acid generator, and a solvent, 1400-5000 pbw of the solvent is present per 100 pbw of the resin. The solvent comprises a major proportion of PGMEA, 10-40 wt % of ethyl lactate, a total of PGMEA and ethyl lactate being at least 60 wt %, and 0.2-20 wt % of a high-boiling solvent.

2009-08-27

20090214961

PHOTOMASK BLANK, PHOTOMASK, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A photomask blank has a light-shielding film composed of at least two layers on a transparent substrate. The light-shielding film includes a light-shielding layer made of a material mainly containing tantalum nitride and further containing xenon and a front-surface antireflection layer formed on the light-shielding layer and made of a material mainly containing tantalum oxide and further containing argon.

2009-08-27

20090214962

EXPOSURE APPARATUS - An exposure apparatus includes a plurality modules and a controller, each module exposes a pattern of an original onto a substrate by using light from a light source, wherein each module includes a position detector configured to detect a position of the original or the substrate that has an alignment mark used for an alignment between the original and each shot on the substrate, wherein the controller has information relating to an alignment error of a detection result by the position detector which is set to each module, and wherein the exposure apparatus further includes a reducing unit configured to reduce a difference of the alignment error among modules.

2009-08-27

20090214963

SUBSTRATE PROCESSING METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, AND SUBSTRATE PROCESSING SYSTEM - The present invention has: a first step of measuring, as an initial condition of a substrate, any of a film thickness of a processing film on the substrate, a refractive index of the processing film, an absorption coefficient of the processing film, and a warpage amount of the substrate; a second step of estimating a dimension of a pattern of the processing film after predetermined processing from a previously obtained first relation between the initial condition and the dimension of the pattern of the processing film based on a measurement result of the initial condition; a third step of obtaining a correction value for a processing condition of the predetermined processing from a previously obtained second relation between the processing condition of the predetermined processing and the dimension of the pattern of the processing film based on an estimation result of the dimension of the pattern; a fourth step of correcting the processing condition of the predetermined processing based on the correction value; and a fifth step of performing predetermined processing on the substrate under the corrected processing condition to form the predetermined pattern in the processing film on the substrate.

TONER FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY - An electrophotographic toner includes a binder resin, a colorant, and a releasing agent, wherein the electrophotographic toner has a complex viscosity (η) of 4e2 Pa·s to 8e3 Pa·s at a temperature range of 120 to 160° C. and an angular velocity range of 1.6 to 10 rad/s, a rate of change of the complex viscosity of 165 to 185 Pa·s/° C. at 1.6 rad/s, and 70 to 80 Pa·s/° C. at 10 rad/s within the temperature range, a stress relaxation of 1.0 e3 to 4.5 e4 Pa at a relaxation time of 0.05 to 0.3 seconds under a temperature range of 120 to 160° C., and a rate of change of the stress relaxation (ΔG/ΔT) of 785 to 1000 Pa/° C. at 0.05 seconds and 190 to 215 Pa/° C. at 0.3 seconds within the temperature range above.

2009-08-27

20090214966

TONER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD USING THE TONER - A toner including toner particles; and external additives including a fatty acid metal salt having an average primary particle diameter of from 0.5 to 1.5 μm; a positively chargeable particulate inorganic material; and a negatively chargeable particulate inorganic material. An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor bearing an electrostatic image, and a center feed developing device configured to develop the electrostatic image with a developer including the toner to form a toner image, and a transfer device configured to transfer the toner image onto a receiving material preferably fed at a speed of from 500 to 1700 mm/s. An image forming method including forming an electrostatic image, developing the electrostatic image with the center feed developing device using the toner to form a toner image, and transferring the toner image onto a receiving material preferably fed at a speed of from 500 to 1700 mm/s.

PROTECTIVE OVERCOAT OF PHOTORECEPTOR HAVING A CHARGE TRANSPORT COMPOUND - A photoconductive member a layer including a substantially crosslinked product of a film-forming composition having at least a curing agent and a charge transport compound, wherein the charge transport compound has at least one group imparting charge transporting functionality, at least one crosslinking group and at least one fluorene moiety.

HYBRID DEVELOPING METHOD USING SPECIFIED DEVELOPER AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS USING THEREOF - An image-forming method includes a process in which a toner is supported and transported on the surface of a toner supporting member placed face to face to an electrostatic latent image-supporting member, and electrostatic latent images formed on the electrostatic latent image-supporting member is developed by the toner; and a process in which a two-component developer containing the toner and a carrier is supported on the surface of a developer-supporting member placed face to face to the toner supporting member and the toner is supplied onto the toner-supporting member. The developer includes toner particles containing a binder resin and a colorant; a carrier charging the toner particles in friction-contact with the toner particles; and reverse polarity particles and homopolarity particles respectively charged to polarity reversed to and the same polarity as polarity of the toner particles charged in friction-contact with the carrier.

2009-08-27

20090214972

TONER COMPOSITIONS - The present disclosure provides resins having fluorescent agents suitable for use in toner compositions that are capable of imparting fluorescent properties to images printed with the toners.

2009-08-27

20090214973

TONER, DEVELOPER, TONER CONTAINER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner is provided that includes a release agent, a colorant, a binder resin including a polyester resin, and a fixing auxiliary component including an ester compound of a fatty acid with an alcohol. The fatty acid includes stearic acid and behenic acid in a total amount of 80% by weight or more. The alcohol includes ethylene glycol in an amount of 80% by weight or more. The ester compound has a hydroxyl value of 10 to 100 mgKOH/g.

TONER FOR DEVELOPING ELECTROSTATIC LATENT IMAGE AND METHOD OF PREPARING THE TONER, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD USING THE TONER - A toner prepared by a method including dissolving or dispersing at least at least one member selected from the group consisting of binder resins and precursors thereof, a colorant, a release agent, and a layered inorganic mineral in which ions between its layers are at least partially modified with an organic ion in an organic solvent to prepare a solution or a dispersion which is an oil phase; and dispersing the oil phase in an aqueous medium to prepare an emulsified dispersion in which parent toner particles are granulated, wherein the aqueous medium includes a tertiary amine compound.

2009-08-27

20090214976

Method of Producing Liquid Developer and Liquid Developer Produced by the Method - A liquid developer comprised of toner particles having excellent fixing properties to a recording medium is provided, and a liquid developer in which toner particles having uniform shape and small particle size distribution are dispersed is also provided, and further a method of producing a liquid developer capable of producing such a liquid developer efficiently is also provided. In particular, a producing method capable of producing such a liquid developer as described above in a method harmless to the environment is provided. The liquid developer producing method is a method for producing a liquid developer which is comprised of an insulation liquid and toner particles dispersed in the insulation liquid and is characterized by comprising the steps of: a water-based dispersion liquid preparing step for preparing a water-based dispersion liquid, the water-based dispersion liquid comprising a dispersoid comprised of a material containing a resin material and a water-based dispersion medium constituted from a water-based liquid in which the dispersoid is dispersed; a dispersion medium removal step for removing the dispersion medium to obtain toner particles; and a dispersing step for dispersing the toner particles into the insulation liquid.

PHOTORECEPTOR MEMBER - An electrophotographic photoreceptor and method for forming a photoreceptor is disclosed which is provided with an anticorrosion layer on the interface between the supporting substrate surface and the undercoat layer. The photoreceptor has a high mechanical strength and minimizes defects in print for longer periods of time.

2009-08-27

20090214979

PHOTOSENSITIVE RESIN COMPOSITION AND PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT - A photosensitive resin composition comprising (a) a compound obtained by reacting a polybasic acid anhydride with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of a novolac-type phenol resin, and (b) a 1,2-quinonediazide compound. The photosensitive resin composition, which comprises component (b) composed of a 1,2-quinonediazide compound in combination with a component (a) obtained by reacting a polybasic acid anhydride with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of a novolac-type phenol resin, exhibits sufficiently high photosensitivity, image contrast, resolution and adhesiveness.

2009-08-27

20090214980

Melts - A light-attenuating composition and method of using it are described. The light-attenuating composition may be selectively applied to a radiant energy sensitive material on the substrate. Actinic radiation applied to the composite chemically changes portions of the radiant energy sensitive material not covered by the light-attenuating composition. The light-attenuating composition attenuates light in at least the UV range and is water-soluble or water-dispersible.

2009-08-27

20090214981

PHOTORESISTS AND METHODS FOR OPTICAL PROXIMITY CORRECTION - Photolithography compositions and methods. A first layer of a first photoresist is formed on a substrate. A second layer of a second photoresist is formed directly onto the first layer. The second polymer of the second photoresist includes an absorbing moiety. The second layer is patternwise imaged and developed, resulting in removal of base-soluble regions. A relief pattern from the second layer remains. The relief pattern and the first layer are exposed to a second dose of the radiation. The polymer in the relief pattern absorbs a portion of the second dose. A fraction of the second dose passes through the at least one region of the relief pattern and exposes at least one region of the first layer. The relief pattern and base-soluble regions of the first layer are removed. A relief pattern from the first layer remains. A second photolithography method and a photoresist composition are also included.

2009-08-27

20090214982

POSITIVE RESIST COMPOSITION, METHOD OF FORMING RESIST PATTERN, AND POLYMERIC COMPOUND - There is provided a positive resist composition, including a base component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of an acid, and an acid generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure, wherein the base component (A) includes a polymeric compound (A1) containing a structural unit (a0) represented by the general formula (a0-1) shown below:

2009-08-27

20090214983

LASER-ENGRAVEABLE FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE PRECURSORS - Laser-engraveable flexographic printing plate precursors have a laser-engraveable elastomeric layer that comprises a non-free radical crosslinked polymeric binder, an infrared radiation absorbing compound, and a compound that remains stable in the precursor but upon imaging thermally degrades to produce gaseous products. The thermally degradable compounds can generate or liberate one or more gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

2009-08-27

20090214984

METHODS FOR ENHANCING PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY PATTERNING - A method for fabricating a a semiconductor device that includes: providing a substrate prepared with a photoresist layer; providing a photomask comprising a first and a second pattern having a respective first and second pitch range; providing a composite aperture comprising a first and a second off-axis illumination aperture pattern, the first off-axis aperture pattern having a configuration that improves the process window of the first pitch range and the second off-axis aperture pattern having a configuration that improves the process window for a second pitch range; exposing the photoresist layer on the substrate with radiation from an exposure source through the composite aperture and the photomask; and developing the photoresist layer to pattern the photoresist layer.

2009-08-27

20090214985

METHOD FOR REDUCING SURFACE DEFECTS ON PATTERNED RESIST FEATURES - A method is provided for post-processing lithographically patterned resists to reduce surface defects on a patterned resist feature. The method includes providing a substrate with a patterned resist feature containing surface defects with convex and concave regions, applying an acid solution to the patterned resist feature to form a surface acid layer on the patterned resist feature, heat-treating the patterned resist feature, where the heat-treating causes acid concentration in the convex regions and acid dispersion in the concave regions. The method further includes exposing the heat-treated patterned resist feature to a developing solution to preferentially remove resist material from the convex regions and form a trimmed patterned resist feature with reduced surface defects. According to one embodiment, the method further includes repeating the applying, heat-treating, and exposing at least once to further trim and reduce surface defects on the trimmed patterned resist feature.

2009-08-27

20090214986

LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - The joint between the projection system element and its support comprises an inorganic layer or a direct bond and is thus liquid tight, which can prevent deformation by an immersion liquid. The joint can be made either warm or cold. Solders, glue, and glue protection can all be used in the formation of this joint. In an embodiment, the elements and its support are made of quartz.

COMBUSTION SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR BURNING FOSSIL FUEL WITH REDUCED NITROGEN OXIDE EMISSIONS - Combustion systems having reduced nitrogen oxide emissions and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a combustion system is provided. The combustion system includes a combustion zone, which includes a burner for converting a fuel, under fuel rich conditions, to a flue gas. An intermediate staged air inlet is downstream from the combustion zone, for supplying intermediate staged air to the flue gas and producing fuel lean conditions. A reburn zone is downstream from the intermediate staged air inlet for receiving the flue gas. A process for using the combustion system and a method of reducing NO

2009-08-27

20090214989

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STAGED COMBUSTION OF AIR AND FUEL - A method for operating a fuel-fired furnace including at least one burner is provided. The method includes channeling a first fluid flow to the at least one burner at a first predetermined velocity, and channeling a second fluid flow to the at least one burner at a second predetermined velocity during a first mode of operation of the at least one burner. The second predetermined velocity is different than the first predetermined velocity.

METHODS OF COMBUSTION OF POWDERED FUELS AND POWDERED FUEL DISPERSIONS - Methods of combustion include metering a substantially explosible powder into an oxidizing gas using a positive displacement powder dispersion device to suspend the powder in the gas and directing the powder in the gas to form a controlled stream of a moving explosible powder dispersion. In some embodiments, the method further includes igniting the dispersion with an ignition source to produce a stationary deflagrating combustion wave and sustaining combustion by continuing to meter the powder into the gas. In other embodiments, the method further includes adjusting a nozzle velocity of the dispersion to reflect properties of the dispersion to create a sustainable flame and igniting the dispersion to produce a stationary deflagrating wave of the dispersion. In other embodiments, the method further includes igniting the dispersion in a combustion area to produce a stationary deflagrating wave such that a conductive heat transfer from combustion brings the powder to combustion temperature.

2009-08-27

20090214993

SYSTEM USING OVER FIRE ZONE SENSORS AND DATA ANALYSIS - A system for analyzing the quality of combustion in the vicinity of the over fire zone of a combustion system includes at least one lens assembly mounted to a wall of the combustion system in the vicinity of the over fire zone. One or more photo-detectors are used to measure the intensity of light emitted in the over fire zone. A data acquisition system is connected to the photo-detector assembly via a communication link and includes an analog-to-digital converter and data buffering device for converting the light signals to digital signals. A computer analyzes the digital signals with linear and nonlinear signal analysis techniques.

2009-08-27

20090214994

Device for Igniting and Kindling a Fireplace - A device for igniting combustible means, especially solid combustibles such as wood, charcoal, and similar. The device includes a pressurized receptacle that is filled with a combustible medium, a spring-loaded actuating valve which selectively opens and closes a discharge port of the receptacle, preferably by applying pressure with a fingertip, and a top part that is joined to the discharge port and has a tubular extension having an adequate length.

2009-08-27

20090214995

Fire starter having a power source - The present invention presents a power generating spark emitting apparatus in which a mischmetal flint rod also operates as a electron generating source. Either the handle material itself or an internal cathode operates in conjunction with the mischmetal flint rod to form a power source. The cathode and anode are connected across a light emitting diode or incandescent lamp to provide an illumination device. A strike plate mounted within a guided angled recess is disposed on a housing to present the mischmetal flint rod with a strike source such dragging the mischmetal flint rod across the strike plate release sparks from the mischmetal flint rod sufficient to ignite a tinder bundle.